Umtiti: Barcelona have signed Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti for €25 million on a five-year contract. The 22-year-old France international, who played three games in Euro 2016, will stay with the La Liga champions until 2021, with a €60 million buy-out clause inserted into his deal. Umtiti will undergo a medical on Friday before being unveiled to the media.
Negredo: Middlesbrough are hopeful of striking a deal which will bring Valencia forward Alvaro Negredo to the Riverside Stadium. The newly-promoted Teessiders are understood to have opened talks over the 30-year-old former Manchester City frontman as head coach Aitor Karanka looks to boost the firepower at his disposal in the Premier League. Reports said negotiations are proving painstaking with Boro seeking an initial loan without taking on full responsibility for the player’s existing financial package.
Zapata: Milan confirmed yesterday that Cristian Zapata needs an operation after an ankle injury while on duty for Colombia in last month’s Copa America. After a consultation with professor Niek van Dijk in Amsterdam, the player will have to undergo surgery.” Milan did not say how much time Zapata will spend on the sidelines.
Whelan: Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan has penned a one-year contract extension. The 32-year-old Ireland international, whose new deal runs until the summer of 2018, has made over 300 appearances for the Potters since moving from Sheffield Wednesday for £500,000 in 2008.
Roncaglia: Argentine defender Facundo Roncaglia will be playing in Spain for Celta Vigo next season following a transfer move from Italy’s Fiorentina. “Pending the medical examination and the signing of the definitive agreement, experienced and versatile centre-back Facundo Roncaglia will become Celta’s third signing for the new season,” the Spanish club said.
Hurst: The red shirt worn by England’s hat-trick hero Geoff Hurst in the 1966 World Cup final victory over West Germany went unsold at auction yesterday after it failed to reach the reserve price. Auctioneers Sotheby’s had put an estimated price of £300,000 to £500,000 on the long-sleeved number 10 shirt with its embroidered three lions badge. Described as “the most significant obtainable artefact relating to the 1966 World Cup final”, the shirt was accompanied by a letter of authenticity signed by Hurst, who sold it in 2000 to a private collector.